Since its launch back in August last year, The Platinum Group Service Sector within the Black Country Chamber of Commerce has gone from strength to strength. There are now 12 members of The Group all committed to working together to learn and develop, through sharing best practice and deeper business relationships.

The latest companies to join The Group are Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital, Coinadrink and why.

Rated as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission, Nuffield Health hospital has been named as a top performer in the NHS Partners Network Report of independent sector providers caring for NHS patients. The private hospital, based in Tettenhall, is one of a group of 31 hospitals nationwide, who collectively are the largest not-for-profit organisation in the UK.  This means that any surplus funds are invested back into the hospital for the benefit of patients.

Commenting on their decision to join The Platinum Group, Karen Pattison, Hospital Director at Nuffield Health Wolverhampton, said: “Leadership and development are key to running a top private healthcare service. The opportunities that The Platinum Group provides for leaders across our business to expand their knowledge and learn from others outside of our industry is unrivalled in the region.”

Coinadrink is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of vending machines to businesses, offering a comprehensive vending service, including hire, installation and maintenance.  A forward-thinking company who are committed to the impact that they have not just on the exemplary service that they offer to their customers, but also in the environmental and community impact that they have.  To this end they have several CSR initiatives in place, supporting good causes in both the UK and around the world.

Roger Williams, Managing Director of Coinadrink said: “We are very excited at taking the step to upgrade to The Platinum Group Service Sector.  We will now enjoy many additional benefits such as meeting with other members to share ideas and developments. We see the ability to reach out to other CEO’s and MD’s for support and guidance and to share best practice, as a powerful tool in our continued development.”

whg are one of the West Midlands' leading and most successful providers of high quality homes. Owning and managing around 20,000 properties across Walsall and the wider West Midlands, they provide affordable, good quality homes and community-based services.  Since they were formed in 2003, they have invested over £400 million in their portfolio of homes and developed a range of services that go beyond the traditional role of a landlord.

Gary Fulford, CEO of whg, said: “At whg we believe that everyone deserves the chance to lead a happy and fulfilled life.  We are privileged to be able to provide one of the fundamentals to that – a home.  But we know that bricks and mortar alone cannot automatically create the conditions to help people enjoy better lives.  Maintaining a one-to-one relationship with each of our customers and constantly seeking the very best for them, is what differentiates us. People are at the heart of our business, which is why we are proud of our reputation for being ‘much more than a landlord’.

Joining The Platinum Group Service Sector and being able to interact with like-minded businesses in an open and confidential setting, to learn from their experiences and work together on ways to improve the service we provide, is an exciting prospect for us and I look forward to the opportunities it will bring.”

Commenting on The Group’s expansion, Gail Arnold, Head of Premium Membership at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are pleased to welcome our latest members to The Platinum Group Service Sector.  Since its launch we have been delighted by the reaction that we have received and by the diverse range of businesses that it has attracted.  This diversity is an important part of the success of The Group, where the non-competitive nature of the members ensures an openness and confidentiality, that provide excellent outcomes for developing leaders and their businesses.”

Residents across the West Midlands wanting to get healthier this summer now have extra support to achieve their goals thanks to a new, free online tool.

The ‘Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge’ has been developed by the National Charity Partnership, a partnership between Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Tesco, and allows users to set and track their health-related goals over an eight week period.

Goals focus on everyday changes - such as consuming healthier drinks and eating smaller portion sizes - and becoming more physically active. The online eight week challenge, which can be accessed from any computer, tablet or mobile phone, also contains a bank of healthy recipes endorsed by Diabetes UK and the BHF, achievable fitness tips and health-related inspiration to keep people motivated.

Alex Davis, Head of Prevention for the National Charity Partnership, said: “The idea behind our eight week challenge is to support people to make small, positive changes to their lifestyle which will ultimately help to make a big difference to their long-term health.

“The Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge is designed to help get people started on their personal journey towards developing lifelong healthier behaviours such as eating more fruit and vegetables and getting more active.  We’re encouraging people in the West Midlands to use our online tool, make a lifestyle change for eight weeks and discover the benefits these changes can make.”

Lindsey Crompton, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “At Tesco we’re committed to helping our customers, colleagues and communities live healthier lives and the new Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge is a great way to support people to make small, positive changes to their daily lifestyle”

The aim of the Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge is to get people moving more and eating healthily by kick-starting small healthier habits. Being active and eating a healthy diet are both known to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease – serious conditions that are largely preventable.

Families looking for half-term fun next week are being reminded about the hit LEGO exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Since the show opened at Easter hundreds of visitors have been blown away by Warren Elsmore’s amazing Brick Wonders exhibition.

Using thousands and thousands of pieces of the much-loved plastic bricks the master LEGO artist and author has created more than 70 awe-inspiring models.

Under the theme of natural, ancient and modern, Elsmore has recreated everything from the Great Wall of China, Niagra Falls, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and Old London Bridge, to a modern surgical operating theatre, incredible container ships and a hi-tech airport - all in LEGO.

The Lichfield Street gallery is hosting the exhibition until Wednesday, July 5 and, as well as viewing the creations, visitors can enjoy building their own LEGO models in the gallery spaces.

Marguerite Nugent, Manager of Arts and Culture at the gallery, said: “It doesn’t matter how old or young you are LEGO has an enduring appeal and this exhibition shows what amazing structures you can make with these little plastic bricks.

“While the exhibition does run until July we hope families will take advantage of the half-term break to visit us and enjoy this child and family-friendly show.”

International Day for Biological Diversity was celebrated at Virtual University of Pakistan on May 22, 2017 for creating awareness among masses especially students on importance of biodiversity and its threats.

World Biological Diversity Day is celebrated all over the world to highlight the significance of Biodiversity conservation and importance of biodiversity in ecosystem. It provides an opportunity for all to join hands and talk about the existing and emerging problems caused by biodiversity loss and prospects of biodiversity conservation. VU Environmental Protection Society in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan organized a seminar on World Biological Diversity Day at Lawrence Road Office Lahore.

Dr. Masroor Elahi Babar, Dean Faculty of Science and Technology was the chief guest, whereas senior WWF official, Ms. Warda Javed and Dr. Fahad Rafiq were the guest speaker. Ms. Warda Javed briefed the participants about the required cooperation to halt and reverse the accelerating loss of biological and genetic resources of the planet earth. Dr. Fahad Rafiq highlighted the role of biodiversity and sustainable tourism in Pakistan. A large number of students and faculty members of Virtual University of Pakistan attended the seminar.

The Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team topped the People Awards Pushing Boundaries category.

The category awards those that demonstrate an innovative and adaptable approach which is centred on results for the Society; taking an interest in motivating others and respectfully challenging the status quo.

In the last year the Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team have brought about a unique shift in how GPs view dementia, championing the idea that more can be done for people with dementia in their own communities.

The team’s success has led to another year’s funding for the project from the Cross City Clinical Commissioning Group.

The team also advised and supported a neighbouring Clinical Commissioning Group that is aiming to adopt a similar approach in their GPs’ practices.

The Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team are: Mary Keddy, Carol Bowsher, Amarjit Sagoo, Joanne Farrell, Shaheda Zaman, Esme Dawson and Mike Ayres.

Carol Bowsher, Dementia Support Worker, said: “The team were really delighted and proud to be shortlisted and it was fantastic to receive a Peoples Award. It is not that often that these sorts of things happen in life. The whole team has worked really hard in making connections with GP practices and building stronger community awareness. The work itself is rewarding in terms of reaching out to individuals who may otherwise fall through gaps. Though this is my third year with the Society I have only been providing direct dementia support for 10 months and have learnt an enormous lot from the wider team and my Line Manager, Mary, who is always there with a listening ear.”

Mary Keddy, the Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team Line Manager said; “I am incredibly proud of my team for all that we have achieved over the last year and it is wonderful that our work has been recognised with this award. Our success so far in building connections with GP practices is a great motivation to continue to work hard and support other CCGs to do the same.”

Speaking about the event, Alzheimer's Society Chief Executive Jeremy Hughes said: “Every day Alzheimer’s Society volunteers and employees demonstrate our core values in their roles and interactions with each other and the people affected by dementia we support. This makes me particularly proud to work for this organisation. I’m humbled to celebrate the amazing work of our people and the selfless and relentless way in which they go about it.”

The awards preceded the charity’s annual Dementia Awareness Week (14 – 20 May) in which Alzheimer’s Society urged everyone to come together and unite against dementia.  

Alzheimer’s Society events took place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A nine-day festival encompassing the entire output of Thelonious Monk will take place in Birmingham between 12-20 June to celebrate the centenary of the master jazz musician.

Organised by Birmingham Conservatoire’s Jazz Department, Monkathon will see all 70 of Monk’s compositions performed at venues across the city by groups, soloists and internationally-renowned guest artists.  

Born in North Carolina in 1917, Thelonious Monk has made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire including ‘Blue Monk’, ‘Round Midnight’ and ‘Well, You Needn’t’. Despite writing a relatively small amount of pieces, Monk is the second most-recorded jazz composer of all time and is one of only five jazz musicians to have appeared on the cover of ‘Time’ magazine.

Dr Hans Koller, Senior Lecturer at Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, said:

“Thelonious Monk is one of the 20th century giants of music, not just of jazz. His art transcends boundaries of time, style and aesthetics. Monk at 100 is a wonderful excuse to celebrate his status as an iconic figure of inspiration to us all. 

The Birmingham Monkathon features students, alumni and staff at Birmingham City University, with leading international Monk-inspired performers including Steve Cardenas from New York, Liam Noble from the UK, and Professor François Théberge from Paris Conservatoire, as well as the eminent Monk biographer Professor Robin Kelley, for this grand celebration. In addition, we have international students, outreach programmes, and many gigs across the city.” 

Highlights include performances by Steve Cardenas with Martin Speake, Hans Koller, Calum Gourlay and James Maddren, ‘Jump Monk’ with the Arnie Somogyi Small Band, and the Birmingham Jazz Orchestra in original and re-worked compositions of Monk, plus brand new arrangements by special guest Trish Clowes. 

There’s also the chance to hear exciting arrangements of Monk’s early Blue Note recordings from senior students, adjudicated by Steve Cardenas, and a keynote speech by Monk biographer Professor Robin Kelley, Chair of the Department of African American Studies at the University of California at Los Angeles. 

Liam Noble’s small group’s gig also forms part of the Conservatoire’s two-day CODA marathon of new music, marking the very last events to be held in its Paradise Place buildings.

Italian conservatoire students from Verona, Milan, Bologna and Palermo will be visiting Birmingham to participate in Monkathon and four schools in Birmingham and the local area will be treated to outreach concerts featuring some of the small bands.

Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, is currently preparing to move to a new state-of-the-art £57 million home in September, which will include the city’s only permanent jazz space – Eastside Jazz Club. Earlier this year, Birmingham Conservatoire launched its big band Ellington Orchestra, who will be a regular fixture in the new club.